Brazil judge orders corruption trial for ex-President Silva

FILE - In this March 5, 2016 file photo, Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters who gathered outside his residence in Sao Bernardo do Campo, in the greater Sao Paulo area, Brazil. A Brazilian judge has ruled that Silva will stand trial on charges of money laundering and corruption. Judge Sergio Moro said Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 there is enough evidence to start a judicial process against Silva, his wife and six others in a widening corruption probe centered on the country's huge state-run oil company, Petrobras. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File) (The Associated Press)

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FILE - In this March 5, 2016 file photo, Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters who gathered outside his residence in Sao Bernardo do Campo, in the greater Sao Paulo area, Brazil. A Brazilian judge has ruled that Silva will stand trial on charges of money laundering and corruption. Judge Sergio Moro said Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 there is enough evidence to start a judicial process against Silva, his wife and six others in a widening corruption probe centered on the country's huge state-run oil company, Petrobras. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File) (The Associated Press)

RIO DE JANEIRO – A Brazilian judge has ruled that former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will stand trial on charges of money laundering and corruption.

Judge Sergio Moro said Tuesday there is enough evidence to start a judicial process against Silva, his wife and six others in a widening corruption probe centered on the country's huge state-run oil company, Petrobras.

Prosecutors have called Silva the "maximum commander" of the Petrobras graft scandal that has rocked Brazil.